Hi-Definition, High Priced Movies Come to iTunes

Apple has at last shifted high-def movie rentals onto the iTunes Store and added high definition films for purchase. Previously, the only option for HD was via the Apple TV, and that was rental-only.

And they’re not cheap. HD rentals come in at a dollar above the standard def titles, at $5 for new releases and $4 for back catalog items. If you want to buy them, the HD movies will cost $20, which is pretty steep considering there is no plastic to manufacture or ship. Saying that, $15 for standard-def is already too much.

Right now, this looks like being US-only (here in Spain we still don’t have TV shows to download) and the big titles are for pre-order. The “smash hit thriller ‘Twilight’" will be the first out of the gate on March 21st, soon to be followed by the terrible “Quantum of Solace" (or “Quantum of Plot" as it is sometimes known). Other awesome titles (Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys, anyone?) are already available.

The rest of us can stick with cheap DVD rentals and Handbrake. And yes, the picture above is eligible for Photoshop Disasters.

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